California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, has once again denied parole to Patricia Krenwinkel, a former member of the notorious Manson Family. This decision, announced on October 13, underscores Newsom’s belief that Krenwinkel, now 77, still poses a significant threat to society.

Despite recommendations from the parole board supporting her release, Newsom expressed grave concerns, describing Krenwinkel as an “unreasonable danger to society.” In his official statement, referenced by CBS News, he articulated that she lacks the necessary insight for a safe reintegration into the community.

While acknowledging Krenwinkel’s efforts in self-improvement, including educational and vocational advancements, as well as her involvement in service dog programs, Newsom remains unconvinced of her readiness for release. The governor’s decision is partly based on a psychological evaluation indicating “some deficits in self-awareness” and a “tendency to externalize blame for her prior transgressions,” as reported by Fox News.

Krenwinkel’s deep entanglement with the Manson cult led her to partake in a brutal killing spree over two infamous days in 1969, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals. Among the victims were actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, her friends, and the unsuspecting couple, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

Pointing to a finding from a psychologist who evaluated Krenwinkel, he said, she had “some deficits in self-awareness” and had a “tendency to externalize blame for her prior transgressions,” according to the decision also obtained by Fox News.

In his 2002 decision, Newsom praised her for demonstrating “positive institutional conduct” and “effusive remorse for her leadership role in the Family,” but he concluded that she should not be released.

“While Ms. Krenwinkel has matured in prison and engaged in commendable rehabilitative efforts,” he wrote at the time, “her efforts have not sufficiently reduced her risk for future dangerousness.”

Krenwinkel was present the night Manson’s followers, including Charles “Tex” Watson and Susan Atkins, broke into the home of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and brutally killed her and others at her Cielo Drive property in Los Angeles’ Benedict Canyon. 

Krenwinkel is believed to have chased down coffee heiress Abigail Folger and stabbed her 28 times in the yard, according to Newsom’s 2022 ruling. The group also killed Steven Parent, Wojiciech Frykowski, and Jay Sebring before using the victims’ blood to write “pig” on the front door. 

The next night, Watson, Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten continued their murderous spree, under the direction of Manson, at the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The couple was brutally stabbed before the word “war” was carved into Leno’s stomach.

Since her arrest, Krenwinkel has spoken about the power Manson had over her and the others. 

As she told parole officials in 2022, according to NPR, “I had just totally allowed myself to just start absolutely becoming devoid of any form of morality or real ethics.”

Krenwinkel’s Attorney Opposes Newsom’s Decision

After Newsom’s decision to keep her in prison, Krenwinkel’s attorney Keith Wattley spoke out.

“Patricia Krenwinkel is the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States,” Wattley said in a statement obtained by Fox News. “For more than five decades, she has committed to deep healing and rehabilitation, earning degrees, counseling others and becoming a mentor to younger women inside.”

He argued that she no longer poses an “unreasonable risk to public safety” and believed she should be released as a result. 

In light of the governor’s decision, Krenwinkel will continue to carry out her sentence at the California Institution for Women.